WHAT IS LUKAEMIA?
Leukaemia is a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes. These suppress the production of normal blood cells, leading to anaemia and other symptoms.
HOW LEUKAEMIA AFFECTS CHILDREN?
Leukaemia is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in children, accounting for about 30% of all cases. The incidence peaks at age 3 years in boys and at 2 years in girls.
Of the different types of childhood leukaemia:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) accounts for about 78% of all leukaemia diagnosed in children. ALL is the most common cancer in children.
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the next most common and accounts for 15% of childhood leukaemia. The incidence rates are highest in infants (under 1 year old) and show little variation from age 3 years onwards.
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) accounts for up to 5%.
- The remainder is due to a variety of unusual and rare leukaemia. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is very rare in children.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LEUKAEMIA?
Like all blood cells, leukaemia cells travel throughout the body. Depending on the number of abnormal cells and where these cells collect, patients with leukaemia may have a number of symptoms, including:
- Anaemia: Children with leukaemia often have fewer than normal healthy red blood cells and platelets. They lack enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body, which causes a condition called anaemia. Children with anaemia may look pale, feel weak and tired and bleed and bruise easily.
- Recurrent Infections: Although children with leukaemia may have a high number of white blood cells, these white blood cells are immature and don't fight infection. Children may experience repetitive viral or bacterial infections. They often have symptoms of infection such as fever, runny nose and cough.
- Bone and Joint Pain: Pain in bones and joints is another common symptom of leukaemia. This pain is usually a result of the bone marrow being overcrowded and "full."
- Abdominal Distress: Abdominal pain also may be a symptom. Leukaemia cells can collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, enlarging these organs. Pain in the abdomen may cause a loss of appetite and weight.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes under the arms, in the groin, chest and neck may become swollen when leukaemia cells collect in the nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that filter the blood.
- Difficulty Breathing or Dyspnoea: With T-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia, leukaemia cells tend to clump together around the thymus gland. This mass of cells present in the middle of the chest can cause pain and difficulty breathing. Wheezing, coughing or painful breathing requires immediate medical attention.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS, with its outstanding leukaemia specialist doctor in Hyderabad, is helping to improve outcomes for children with leukaemia and lymphoma, including difficult-to- treat cases. The treatment of children with leukaemia and lymphomas is complex, and requires the coordinated care of many experts including paediatric cancer specialist in Hyderabad, surgeons, radiation specialists, radiologists, nurses and other professionals, making KIMS one of the premier paediatric oncology hospitals in Hyderabad and the preferred destination for paediatric cancer patients.